I do not own Sweeney Todd
The day was surprisingly warm as the Todds, Mrs. Lovett and Toby arrived at the tiny inlet of Briny Beach. It was a popular spot for beach goers and children, but today it seemed slightly deserted that afternoon. The baker had packed a picnic lunch for them Sweeney was in his usual brooding, grumbling mood.
They settled under a large tree, a few yards away from the beach and away from the crowd. Nellie wore a slightly off the shoulder dress with blue trim and stripes around the skirt, Sweeney was in his usual waist brown waist coat and trousers, stilling on the blanket passively and staring blankly into the distance, Toby was off in the field behind them, attempting to get a cheap kite given to him by Ellie off the ground and into the air on a windless day.
Ellie sat on the ground, leaning back on the tree's rough bark, "Father? What time is it?" she asked, Sweeney glanced at his pocket watch, "two forty five why?" Ellie stood and brushed off the dirt and bits of bark from her dress. It was not one Ellie particularly like to wear, but the Baker insisted, saying it would be a waste not to.
The light summer dress was a dusty rose color with a light cream bodice. The strap sleeves fell off the shoulder and both the neckline and the sleeves were crimped pink ribbon, with small pink roses. The Skirt was pretty enough, a plain, rose skirt that puffed out a bit. What finished the flowery ensemble was an over skirt of a darker pink, that draped over the underskirt and was held up every few inches by a bundle of fake flowers. Ellie's hair was loose that day, brushed to shine in the sunlight and around her throat was a thick pink ribbon.
"She's meeting someone." Nellie piped, and Ellie made a quick cut motion over her throat. "Meeting someone who?" Sweeney was instantly on guard, "Just a friend" Ellie insisted.
"A very good friend form the way you were waltzing in last night." Nellie said casually, "you were out last night?!" Sweeney demanded, "Not for very long, Westley just wanted to make sure I was okay."
"Westley? It's a boy?!" Sweeney's hand instantly reached for the straight razor holstered at his waist. "You've met him! Kind of, he brought me home the night I went to the Judge's office." Ellie defended, "And speaking of which, I have to be at the beach by three to meet him." She moved quickly to avoid any more questions.
"Leave her be Mr. T, She's a big girl she can 'andle 'erself." The Barber muttered and grumbled, and the Baker began to talk idly about the shop, something about stuffed animals or something, Sweeney didn't listen and daydreamed about killing the judge and how to get Johanna back.
"Mr. T…" Nellie nudge him, "Are you listening to me?"
He looked at her passively, "'course" he muttered, "Then what did I just say?" she challenged. He zoned out once more. "There must be a way to get to the Judge." He whispered.
"Judge, judge judge, always on about that bloody old judge." She scoffed, "We got ourselves a nice respectable business now, Money coming in regular like, long as we's careful to pick and choose, strange, people nobodies gonna miss…" she leaned over, "Who'll catch on?"
"Oh Mr. Todd." *Kiss* "I'm so happy *Kiss* "I could..." *Kiss* "Eat you up I really could." Sweeney didn't respond to her sudden affection, "you know what I'd like to do Mr. Todd?" *Kiss* "What I dreamed?" *Kiss* "With the business half this good. Know where I'd really like to go? In a year or so?" she looked at his expectantly, "Don't you wanna know?"
"Yes"
"Do you really wanna know?" she pressed, "Yes I do." Sweeney droned. She looked off into the distance. She imagined a warm sea shore, Toby playing with a Ball by the water and Ellie sitting a few yards away in the sand, reclining on the chest of a strong handsome young man, and reading from a small book. She and Sweeney sat on a blanket in the sand, Nellie leaning on his shoulder and looking out over the ocean.
"By the sea Mr. Todd, that's the life I covet, by the sea Mr. Todd, Oh I know You'll love it! You and me Mr. T we could be alone, in a house what we'd almost stole down by the sea…"
"Anything you say…"
"Wouldn't that be smashing?"
The scene changed to one in a further future, they owned a house on the shore, and the two of them lounging in wicker arm chairs sipping tea. Toby staring vacantly into space and Nellie holding Sweeney's hand cheerfully. Ellie was nowhere to be seen in her vision, As Nellie secretly wished a better life for her away with her own family.
"Think how snug It'll be underneath our flannel, when it's just you and me and the English channel, in our cozy retreat kept all neat and Tidy, we'll have chums over every Friday!" she imagined playing the hostess and serving their future friends tea and cakes.
The scene changed again to the couple walking down a clean white bridge over the water, Nellie a single dot of color in a sea of white dresses and suits. The day was warm and cheerful and gulls cried overhead. Toby, looking older now, leaned on the railing and watched the fish and birds below. In this vision she saw Ellie, looking happy with one arm hooked around the arm of a handsome young man and the other pushing a small white bassinet.
"By the sea! Don't you love the weather? By the sea, we'll grow old together, to the sea side we'll go, by the beautiful sea." She imagined them looking out over the water, "It'll be so quiet, and ho'll come by it, except a sea gull, oh, oh. We shouldn't try it until it's legal for two."
She pictured her ultimate fantasy, a small, intimate wedding ceremony, "But a sea side wedding can by devised, me rumpled bedding legitimized, me eye lids will flutter the moment I mutter "I Do" "
She watched the mental wedding with great joy, "Down by the sea. Married nice and proper, by the sea, bring along your chopper, to the sea side oh, by the beautiful sea." She placed both her sides on the back of her men and continued her fantasy, aware that Sweeney hadn't heard a word of it."
(Mean While)
Ellie stood at the foot of the rocky shore, looking around nervously. What if he didn't show up? She thought, the very idea was awful, but what was worse was she hadn't the foggiest idea why she was so concerned. Before now she had never given a cared to what a man thought of her because as the daughter of a convicted killer, she had resigned herself to a life of a spinster. But now she realized he had a second chance at life, she had no baggage to ward off suitors, and she found that looking back she was terribly lonely, not for love, or even friend ship, simply companionship of any kind.
"Miss Todd!" she turned and smiled as Westley jogged down the boardwalk, "I was getting worried you wouldn't show." She laughed as he doubled over and caught his breath, "Yes well, all those days sitting at a desk has made me ill fit for exercise, and I couldn't pay a carriage for a ride so I had to run here."
"You ran the whole way?!" she led him to a wooden bench, "you must be exhausted." He nodded and sat on the bench, "You look lovely today." He noted. She laughed and pulled out her white handkerchief, "Yes well." She dabbed his forehead lightly, "you look quite dashing for a man who just ran four miles."
He did to, his cornflower eyes were filled with life and the sun reflected off the sweat on the back of his neck and his dirty blonde hair looked as if it started neatly combed back, but now a few strands fell in front of his eyes. "Well, it was worth it." He chuckled.
"I had to practically sprint to get here and avoid an interrogation from my father, he's a bit protective." Ellie shrugged. "Alright, I told you about me, now it's your turn, what is the story of Westley Kingsley?"
"Well there's not much to tell really, My parents were fairly wealthy, but they insisted I earn my own money until I inherit my share of the wealth." Westley pushed his hair back, "So I started out as a messenger like I said, then worked my way up the corporate ladder, now I'm a clerk." He shrugged, "I won't bore you with the political details."
They spent the afternoon together, walking up and down the pier and around the beach until the sun began to set, sending flecks and beams of orange light over the water. The two watched the light dance over the waves as the first stars began to appear in the sky.
"Miss Ellie!" Ellie turned and found Toby clobbering down the wood bridge, "you're father says if you're not back in five minute we're leaving without you." The girl sighed and ducked under Westley's arms which were pressed to the railing around her, "I Have to go." She said sadly.
"I'll see you again soon." She nodded and looked around them, Toby was the only person within looking distance of them and with a sly grin Ellie pecked Westley's cheek. "til then." She whispered and walked off with Toby.
Right guys, hope you like it. Remember I kind of thrive on reviews so the button is just right there! Till next time.